v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Peculated p. pr. & vb. n. Peculating. ] [ L. peculatus, p. p. of peculari to peculate, akin to peculium private property. See Peculiar. ] To appropriate to one's own use the property of the public; to steal public moneys intrusted to one's care; to embezzle. [ 1913 Webster ]

An oppressive, . . . rapacious, and peculating despotism. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The act or practice of peculating, or of defrauding the public by appropriating to one's own use the money or goods intrusted to one's care for management or disbursement; embezzlement. [ 1913 Webster ]

Every British subject . . . active in the discovery of peculations has been ruined. Burke. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. [ L. ] One who peculates. “Peculators of the public gold.” Cowper. [ 1913 Webster ]